Bronx Burn Injury Lawyer
Burns are among the most devastating and life-altering injuries, as they are known to cause terrible physical pain, as well as significant emotional distress. Burn injuries can be particularly devastating when they result from someone else’s reckless, careless, or intentional actions. No one should suffer the excruciating pain of severe burns – and resulting emotional and financial distress – caused by another person’s neglect, dangerous actions, or poor decisions.
If you or a loved one has been burned under circumstances that weren’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation from the person or entity that caused your injuries. At Lever & Ecker, PLLC, our Bronx personal injury lawyers provide exceptional legal representation for clients in burn injury cases. On your behalf, we may be able to pursue the responsible party to obtain the maximum compensation the law will allow.
How Can You Obtain Compensation for Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries are devastating, both physically and emotionally. You might be entitled to compensation if you are a burn victim because of someone else’s misconduct or negligence. The amount you may receive depends on the severity and impact of the injuries, and the related damages associated with the injuries, including, for example, lost income and expenses incurred.
As with most civil cases, a Bronx burn injury victim can obtain compensation from a jury at a trial or through a settlement obtained before proceeding to trial. Whether the case resolves through a trial or a pre-trial settlement, you will need reliable legal guidance. An experienced and aggressive attorney will pursue your case with a strategy on your behalf that is crafted to maximize the compensation you receive for your injuries. After all, you don’t want the responsible party to get away with paying you less than what you deserve for your injuries. Contact a highly-qualified and experienced Bronx burn lawyer to evaluate your case and show you what to do next.
Common Types of Burns in the Bronx
Because the severity of the burn influences the compensation you may be entitled to, it’s important to understand the common types of burns and their degrees. Burns can result from several circumstances, including building fires, motor vehicle crashes, workplace incidents, and dangerous consumer products, just to name a few. Some of the most common types of burns include the following:
- Friction burns develop after contact with a hard surface like a hard floor or road. A person riding a motorcycle or a bicycle can sustain friction burns (including abrasions) in an accident.
- Thermal heat burns result from exposing the skin to extreme heat from flames, hot objects, hot liquids (including scalding water), and steam.
- Chemical burns come from household or industrial chemicals in the form of a gas, solid, or liquid.
- Electrical burns result from an electrical source.
- Cold temperature burns occur after prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures or contact with icy objects.
- Radiation burns can come from tanning beds, radiation therapy, or X-ray machines.
These burns come in different levels that determine the seriousness of your injuries. That brings us to the different degrees of burns.
Understanding the Different Degrees of Burns
There are three primary levels of burns: first-, second-, and third-degree. Each level is based on how deep and severe the burn penetrates the skin. First-degree burns are the most minor, while third-degree are the most severe.
- First-degree burns are also called superficial burns and only affect the upper layer of the skin. The burn site is red, painful, and without blisters.
- Second-degree burns are also called partial thickness burns; they are red, painful, and blistered. Inflammation is also likely.
- Third-degree burns are also called full thickness burns. They destroy the skin layers and may also damage the underlying muscles and bones. The burn site appears charred or white and may lack sensation.
Never underestimate the seriousness of a burn. Consult a health professional right away to eliminate the risks of infection. Seeing a doctor will also generate critical medical records you’ll need in your case.
What Can You Recover in a Bronx Burn Compensation Claim?
New York allows eligible burn victims to recover both non-economic and economic damages. Non-economic damages represent the cost of harms that cannot easily be put in strict dollar terms, and include:
- Physical pain and suffering, including surgeries, skin grafts, etc.
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Economic damages include expenses a burn victim incurs because of the injury, which may include:
- Medical expenses
- Past lost wages/income
- Loss of future earning capacity
These lists are inexhaustive. It’s imperative to consult a reliable Bronx burn injury lawyer who will identify all the costs and harms associated with your burn injuries, to maximize the likelihood of recovering all of the damages to which you are entitled. However, you must prove the at-fault party was responsible for your injuries to recover damages in a compensation claim.
How Do You Establish Who Is Responsible for Your Burn Injuries?
It is necessary in a burn injury case to identify the party responsible for your injuries. Suppose you sustained thermal burns in an accidental fire. In that case, the person or entity that started or caused the unsafe condition is legally responsible for your injuries. If the fire occurred because of an unsafe workplace, the building owner, management company and/or applicable repair/maintenance business might be responsible for your injuries. Consult a lawyer to identify the actual liable party in your case.
To prove another party is responsible for your injuries, you will need evidence that shows the following:
- The at-fault party was legally obliged to ensure for your safety. This is also referred to as the duty of care. For example, drivers have a legal obligation to ensure they don’t drive carelessly, which would cause damage to other drivers.
- The person or entity violated the duty of care.
- Your injuries resulted from this violation of the duty of care.
An experienced lawyer will be able to work to prove these elements on your behalf, to ensure justice is served.
Experienced Bronx Burn Lawyers at Lever & Ecker PLLC
If you have sustained burn injuries and need help proving your case against the at-fault party, contact an attorney from Lever & Ecker, PLLC to help you in this challenging moment. Our firm takes injury cases very personally, so you can be sure we’ll pay close attention to your case and give it the individualized attention it deserves.
We are an experienced team of attorneys successful in over 98% of our cases. Most importantly, you will pay us nothing unless we win your case. Call us at (718) 933-3632 or complete our contact form for a free case evaluation.
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